Why Gus Malzahn handed over playcalling duties to OC Rhett Lashlee

Gus Malzahn knew something needed to be done.

After limping out to a 1-2 start, the Auburn coach gave away playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee for the team’s huge SEC West showdown with then-No. 18 LSU.  The result? An 18-13 win and a much cooler seat for Malzahn.

During his weekly news conference Tuesday, Malzahn explained his decision to give up calling plays and why it was the best thing for his team.

Gus Malzahn says he decided after opener that turning over playcalling to Rhett Lashlee was "100 percent best for our team."

— John Zenor (@jzenor) September 27, 2016

Malzhan: "For me it was very refreshing. I could be there for the special teams/defense. Wasn't caught up in the next play."

— Dana Sulonen (@DanaSulonen) September 27, 2016

Malzahn said he'd been at times coaching angry this season before giving up playcalling.

— John Zenor (@jzenor) September 27, 2016

Gus Malzahn: I felt like I was too negative first couple games, "living and dying with every play"

— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) September 27, 2016

Gus Malzahn: Gut feeling to give up play calling, "you know what's best for the team"

— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) September 27, 2016

Asked what wife Kristi thinks about him giving up play calling, Malzahn laughed, looked at @AuburnSID and said, "I think that's it."

— Josh Vitale (@AUBlog) September 27, 2016

Malzahn also said junior defensive end Paul James III will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The reserve played sparingly in three games this season, picking up three tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry.

Auburn DE Paul James III is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Happened last week in practice.

— Bryan Matthews (@BMattAU) September 27, 2016